New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-11
4 NEW FORCE IN POLITICS.

The appcarance of the llquor-dcalerS as an
organized force in our politics Is one of the
most significant developments of the time
By common consent these men arc rapidly
banding themselves together all over the coun-
try for political ends. Or. rather, they arc
going into politics with the organizations al
ready made for trade purposes. Our dispatches
from Harrisburg yesterday showed that the
brewers in PENNSYLVANIA had raised the sum
of $500 600 to defeat the Republican candl-
dates, next year, doubtless. as we'll as this
The liquor-dealcrs' committee in Philadclphm
have run | 300 men through the naturalization
mill in that city, and have paid the petty poll
tax of thousands more. And what Is tho
secret of this new zeal of the liquor dealers
for the Democratic candidates? Simply That
the Republicans have already passed Con-
stitutonal Amendment through the Legislature
to submit the question of prohibition to a
popular vote, and they have pledged Them
selves TO give it, if they control tho next
legislature the second Endorsement needed
before it goes to the people. The liquor
dealers have made a bargain with the Demo
Gratis by which the latter are TO defeat the
amendment if they control the next Lcgislat-
Republican candidates for State Offices this
fall are to bc beaten. If possible. Meantime
the ProhlbitioniSts, who cast more than 5000
votes last fall. have organized this year with
apparently. more spirit than ever, ana nave
n State ticket in the field. So the Republican
marty is to receive at one and the same time,
the onslaught OF the liquor dealers and Demo-
era with huge corruption fund because 1t
has favored the submission OF the prohibition
question to the people, and Of the Prohibition
lists, IN spite OF the fact that 1t has done 80.
Could anything be- more unjust Is ii possible
that honest temperance men can cOuntcnancc
such fanaticism?
In this State practically the same situation
exists. We have already given the details
regarding the large corruption fund raised by
the liquor-dcalcrs to defeat Rcpub!ican candi-
dates for the Legislature, but especially those
who voted last winter for the Crosby and
Vcdder bills Another demonstration in the
same direction was the raising Of $4,000
by the National Protective Association Of Dis
tilers and Wholesale Whiskcy Dealers to dc
feat the prohibition amendment in Tennessee.
The dispatches significantly minated thai
these men held their money back until the
last and then used IT with great effect"
Every one knows what this means. just as
every one knows what il means when liquor
dealers raise 500 900 in Pennsylvania or
S75, 900 in Ncw-York. It means unblushins
bribery.
II Is no new thing Of course, for liquor crs
to dabbe in politics. but these new and large
combinations, these huge corruption finds
the long carriage parades Of hquor-dealcrs in
our great cities, show an organization that ia
growing insolent in the PRIDE Of It's strength
and riches. The movement il danger to
public morals, not only on the side OF temper
ancc, but because it means fresh source OF
corruption in the suffrage where there are
too many already. The liquor sellers arc wise
TO keep their operations in the dark as much
as possible When the American people under
stand their plans and purposes fully, they are
likely to hear thunder. This country cannot
be ruled by rumscllers.